BRANDON JACKSON, his location alone spoke volumes about the situation.
The Packers running back just finished his last season under contract as a Super Bowl champion, but may never walk into that locker room again. And you that’s the only home he’s ever known as a professional after being drafted in the second round in 2007.
Jackson was one of the most emotional players Sunday and insisted trainer Red Batty refrain from washing his game jersey.
The team, and Jackson, received their jerseys Tuesday after the Return to Titletown celebration at Lambeau Field. Jackson answered questions afterward with an undecided future.
He nearly broke into tears as he described what that jersey meant to him.
“That’s four hard years of dedication,” Jackson said. “Blood, sweat, tears, adversity, that goes into that 32. The history of the organization goes into that 32. My family, the love and support goes into that 32. My faith in Christ goes into that 32. There’s a lot of history, there’s a lot of accolades, there’s a lot of things goes into that 32 that’s on that jersey.
“That jersey will not be washed. It’ll be hung up, framed with the rest of my jerseys that I have from college and high school. That 32 is very special to me. It’s been … I don’t know. It’s emotional when I talk about it because I’ve been through a lot here. The road is tough. To bring home the Lombardi Trophy and to have that patch on the side of my shoulder is amazing.”
Jackson didn’t have any idea how things would eventually work out. He’s appreciative of his time here and wants to come back.
At the same time, Jackson, like any competitor, would like a more extensive role in an offense beyond the third-down back and being an outstanding pass-blocker.
Jackson became the No. 1 back in 2010 when Ryan Grant was injured in the season-opener, but lost the job to rookie James Starks in the final stretch of the season.
“That was always No. 1 when I came in — just getting a fair chance, a fair opportunity to help lead this team,” Jackson said. I feel like I’m a great leader.
“But it’s not really up to me. If the Packers want me. They got me. … If it’s here I’m on board. If it’s somewhere else, hey, I’ve got to go take care of my family.”
Jackson’s wife Brandy is scheduled to give birth in March. Jackson said for now, he’s going to enjoy his time with the family and as a world champion.
“I’ve got to go back to my husband duties,” Jackson said. “Taking out the trash. Taking my son to school. Taking my daughter to school and making sure my wife is getting healthy.
“I’m a family man and right now I’m going to go home and love my wife and kids.”
Jackson eventually turned that corner and walked out of Lambeau Field on Tuesday. There’s no guarantee that he’ll return.
“When I walk out this door, what I’m going to remember is the love that this organization gave me,” Jackson said. “Drafted me in the second round, taking a chance on me. Me giving my all to this team. I feel like I’m the ultimate team player. You’ll never hear a peep out of me. I’m always doing my job. That’s what it takes to win this. That’s what we did Sunday.
“When I walk out of here, it’s going to be full of joy. Full of tears. Full of exciting memories. Full of various memories. Nothing can take that away. There’s a lot of love that goes into this organization when I walk out this locker room.”
The Packers running back just finished his last season under contract as a Super Bowl champion, but may never walk into that locker room again. And you that’s the only home he’s ever known as a professional after being drafted in the second round in 2007.
Jackson was one of the most emotional players Sunday and insisted trainer Red Batty refrain from washing his game jersey.
The team, and Jackson, received their jerseys Tuesday after the Return to Titletown celebration at Lambeau Field. Jackson answered questions afterward with an undecided future.
He nearly broke into tears as he described what that jersey meant to him.
“That’s four hard years of dedication,” Jackson said. “Blood, sweat, tears, adversity, that goes into that 32. The history of the organization goes into that 32. My family, the love and support goes into that 32. My faith in Christ goes into that 32. There’s a lot of history, there’s a lot of accolades, there’s a lot of things goes into that 32 that’s on that jersey.
“That jersey will not be washed. It’ll be hung up, framed with the rest of my jerseys that I have from college and high school. That 32 is very special to me. It’s been … I don’t know. It’s emotional when I talk about it because I’ve been through a lot here. The road is tough. To bring home the Lombardi Trophy and to have that patch on the side of my shoulder is amazing.”
Jackson didn’t have any idea how things would eventually work out. He’s appreciative of his time here and wants to come back.
At the same time, Jackson, like any competitor, would like a more extensive role in an offense beyond the third-down back and being an outstanding pass-blocker.
Jackson became the No. 1 back in 2010 when Ryan Grant was injured in the season-opener, but lost the job to rookie James Starks in the final stretch of the season.
“That was always No. 1 when I came in — just getting a fair chance, a fair opportunity to help lead this team,” Jackson said. I feel like I’m a great leader.
“But it’s not really up to me. If the Packers want me. They got me. … If it’s here I’m on board. If it’s somewhere else, hey, I’ve got to go take care of my family.”
Jackson’s wife Brandy is scheduled to give birth in March. Jackson said for now, he’s going to enjoy his time with the family and as a world champion.
“I’ve got to go back to my husband duties,” Jackson said. “Taking out the trash. Taking my son to school. Taking my daughter to school and making sure my wife is getting healthy.
“I’m a family man and right now I’m going to go home and love my wife and kids.”
Jackson eventually turned that corner and walked out of Lambeau Field on Tuesday. There’s no guarantee that he’ll return.
“When I walk out this door, what I’m going to remember is the love that this organization gave me,” Jackson said. “Drafted me in the second round, taking a chance on me. Me giving my all to this team. I feel like I’m the ultimate team player. You’ll never hear a peep out of me. I’m always doing my job. That’s what it takes to win this. That’s what we did Sunday.
“When I walk out of here, it’s going to be full of joy. Full of tears. Full of exciting memories. Full of various memories. Nothing can take that away. There’s a lot of love that goes into this organization when I walk out this locker room.”
